About a year ago, I tested GoGo’s inflight WiFi service during an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to New York. I was impressed. Now, I’m writing this blog entry using GoGo during a short Delta flight. As I prepare for a range of business trips in 2010, GoGo could become one of my favorite service providers. Here’s why.
As its name implies, GoGo is fast and simple to use. Air Canada, AirTran, American Airlines, Delta and United already offer GoGo WiFi on selected flights. US Airways and Virgin America are expected to join the party soon. If you look hard enough you can find free GoGo trials from many airlines. Or, the typical inflight fee is US$9.95.
Alas my favorite carrier — JetBlue — hasn’t adopted GoGo. I tested a free, advertising-based WiFi service during a mid-2009 JetBlue flight. It was awful. The “free” WiFi was really a “walled garden” approach, meaning I could only get to a few destinations that were pre-selected by JetBlue’s insanely limited menu system. How 1990s…
In fairness to Jet Blue, I need to check in with them to see what their inflight WiFi strategy is for 2010.
But back to the service at hand: GoGo. Fast, simple and effective. Web pages load as if you’re connected to a traditional Ethernet network. And generally speaking, the connection seems reliable.
I realize inflight WiFi is an inflection point for some business travelers: For many of us, flying is the one time we can escape from email, voicemail and pressing deadlines. Admittedly, I usually catch up on sleep during flights. And I try to avoid email back-n-forth during flights.
Still, I generally have a panic attack if I’m away from our web sites for more than a few hours at a time. GoGo’s inflight WiFi service has eliminated that panic attack.
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I was on the JetBlue aircraft with free WiFi service recently, and inadvertently found a way to circumvent the “walled garden”. I happened to have a WiFi enabled BlackBerry, and once I connected to the onboard WiFi, I was able to browse all over the web without any restrictions. Oh, and the best part, JetBlue’s WiFi is offered for free, unlike all the other airlines that charge for this service.
I’d just like to point out that Virgin America isn’t expected to join the in-flight internet party, as you suggested, but it STARTED the party, long before ALL of the aforementioned airlines with the exception of JetBlue (but seeing that they still only have one jet outfitted with WiFi…). Furthermore, unlike the airlines you mentioned above (except AirTran), Virgin America’s entire fleet is equipped with WiFi. Not only that, GoGo’s service on Virgin America is FREE (thanks to Google) until January 15th.
Anjali: I rather enjoy WiFi hacks so I’ll give this a try. As a loyal JetBlue flier I appreciate the tip. Thanks.
-jp
I have been using the GoGo service on Airtran since this summer and have to say that I have been very impressed. Now if there was just enough room to actually use my laptop on the plane I would be set..
Lane Smith
http://www.doitsmarter.com
I have tried GoGo service on Delta and I found it to be reliable.
However, on a recent flight I found an unexpected drawback. My seat mate was using GoGo and for 2 hours straight talked to herself, but outloud. She was using GoGo to read and update her facebook feed. I really didn’t need to hear her talking to herself for 2 hours about all the people she like/hated/etc.
IT Computer Consultant: You’ve just nailed one of my biggest pet peeves… I can’t listen to people read from a computer screen. I’m not sure why but it’s a mental block for me. Can’t imagine dealing with that for 2 hours online.
But there is some good news: At least GoGo blocks WiFI VoIP services (like Skype) so people can’t talk on their IP phones (yet…) during flights.
-jp